New York man convicted for fraud scheme that targeted elderly victims in Arizona, other states

PHOENIX — A New York resident was found guilty on Tuesday of a money laundering scheme that targeted elderly victims from Arizona and around the country to the tune of nearly $1 million, the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced.

Ivan Wilbur Seales, 58, was part of a scam organization that used “phishing attacks” including emails, texts, pop-ups and websites to make elderly people believe the communication was from a trusted entity, according to a Friday press release.

Many of the victims lost a significant portion of their life savings.

The fraudsters would direct the victims to call “representatives of legitimate companies such as Apple or Microsoft,” when they were actually more scammers, authorities said.

The scam organization would convince the victims they received an over-refunded amount in their bank accounts, and when it was returned, the fraudsters gained their profit.

Some victims were also lied to about their bank accounts being hacked or compromised and others were even told their accounts were “directed to child sexual abuse material, pornography or a gambling site,” the release said.

Seales kept a portion of the fraud funds and helped other scammers launder the rest of the stolen money through multiple transactions.

He was convicted of conspiracy to commit money laundering after a six-day trial, and his sentencing is set for June 18.

Related

Trump administration admits a glaring error in its accusations about New York health care fraudLife insurance fraudsters who preyed on unhoused, addicted people in Maricopa County sentenced8 arrests made in federal crackdown on alleged health care fraud in Southern CaliforniaCalifornia officials charge 21 people in hospice fraud exceeding $250 millionKimberly Yee leading Tom Horne in bitter GOP primary for Arizona schools chiefWarren Petersen claims victory in GOP primary for Arizona attorney general